Play adjustment in a hydraulic braking system

Abstract

An economical, light and reliable hydraulic braking system for braking a moving mass includes a pressure element or press part for pressing onto a brake surface under frictional contact, a brake actuator filled with hydraulic fluid for producing pressure in the pressure element and a spacing device for adjusting play between the pressure element and the brake surface when the brake system is in a released or non-active position. The spacing device includes a hydraulic accumulator for accumulating a predefined volume of hydraulic fluid at a minimum pressure. The hydraulic accumulator can be connected to the brake actuator, thus avoiding the use of mechanical stopping or blocking devices.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A hydraulic braking system for braking a moving mass, the hydraulic braking system comprising:
 a pressure element for pressing against a brake surface with frictional contact;   a brake actuator filled with hydraulic fluid for generating a pressure to be introduced into said pressure element; and   a spacing device for adjusting play between said pressure element and said brake surface when the braking system is in a released position;   said spacing device having a hydraulic accumulator for accumulating a predefined volume of hydraulic fluid at a minimum pressure; and   said hydraulic accumulator configured to be connected to said brake actuator to avoid using mechanical stopping or blocking devices.   
     
     
         12 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 11 , wherein:
 said brake actuator is configured to be connected to said hydraulic accumulator to lift said pressure element from said brake surface; and   said hydraulic accumulator contains a volume of hydraulic fluid determining a distance of said pressure element from said brake surface in said released position of the braking system.   
     
     
         13 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 12 , which further comprises a compression spring for pressing said pressure element against said brake surface. 
     
     
         14 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 11 , wherein said brake actuator has a brake cylinder and a brake piston extended and guided in said brake cylinder so as to be movable in longitudinal direction, said brake piston and said brake cylinder delimiting at least one brake chamber. 
     
     
         15 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 14 , wherein said brake cylinder is a differential cylinder. 
     
     
         16 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 14 , which further comprises:
 a high-pressure line and a low-pressure line;   a control valve connecting said brake actuator to at least one of said high-pressure line or said low-pressure line;   said high-pressure line and said low-pressure line each being filled with a hydraulic fluid; and   a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said high-pressure line is greater than a pressure of the hydraulic fluid in said low-pressure line.   
     
     
         17 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 16 , wherein said hydraulic accumulator is connected to said high-pressure line. 
     
     
         18 . The hydraulic braking system according to  claim 11 , which further comprises:
 a pressure generator configured to be fixed to a frame of the mass to be braked;   a connector supporting said pressure element on said pressure generator;   said pressure generator having a support cylinder filled with hydraulic fluid and a support piston cooperating with said support cylinder; and   hydraulic lines through which said support cylinder communicates with said brake actuator.   
     
     
         19 . A method for adjusting play between a pressure element of a hydraulic brake and a brake surface, the method comprising the following steps:
 applying a predefined pressure to a predefined volume of a hydraulic fluid, to move the pressure element and lift the pressure element from the brake surface; and   using only the volume of the hydraulic fluid to delimit the movement of the pressure element and determine a distance between the pressure element and the brake surface in a released position of the brake.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , which further comprises:
 introducing the predefined volume of hydraulic fluid into a hydraulic chamber of a brake actuator for releasing the brake; and   moving a movably guided brake piston to delimit the hydraulic chamber.